Capstone in Digital Media Arts

  Chapter 20     Deborah Scranton doesn't favor narration-driven pieces.  She states in narration, "you have a point of view and you get sound bites to support that point of view, versus looking for different points of view and trying to put them together to share with the viewer this multifaceted perspective" (Bernard 301).  She has a valid point.  Narrative films can include interviews with characters who have dealt with the subject matter.  These interviews will provide the audience with varying points of view.  Scranton elaborates on this narrative idea saying, "if you communicate different visceral experiences, then, in a way, you're opening a window so other people get to meet those people, versus having an agenda" (Bernard 302).  I agree with this statement.  The people describing their own experiences and events should not be tampered with.  Their experiences should be driven through facts and personal accounts. Chapter 21 ...

  Chapter 16     According to prolific writer Susan Kim, films should engage the audience and make them think and argue.  For a documentary film, the audience must understand the point of view of the filmmaker.  Whether they agree or disagree with the films views, the purpose of the film must be conveyed.  Films shouldn't be too heavy on narration.  The audience should have time to gather their thoughts instead of constantly being spoon-fed. Chapter 17        One of James Marsh's documentary films, "Man on Wire", got a strong sense of his character Philippe Petit through personal memoirs.  Since this character really attempted to walk along the World Trade buildings, this film is based on factual evidence.  The director shot the interviews first before editing.  The film works better as a documentary than a feature film.  The sensitive nature of the material and those people interviewed were more personal. Chapte...